Paul Hollie
206.473.5745

SafecoŽ Insurance Named Big I New York Personal Lines Super Regional Partner of the Year

Seattle– (February 11, 2010) – Safeco®  Insurance, a member of Liberty Mutual Group, has been awarded the 2010 Outstanding Super Regional Personal Lines Company Partner by the Independent Agents and Brokers of New York (IIABNY).

For the second year in a row, Safeco Insurance was recognized for earning the best individual score among agents surveyed twice annually for the IIABNY Industry Index. Agency principals and carrier relations contacts rated companies in several areas: underwriter empowerment; ease of technology use; honesty and fairness towards agents and customers; responsiveness of company personnel; and fairness of compensation arrangements. Peerless Insurance™, Liberty Mutual Agency Markets’ regional Commercial provider, was similarly honored with the 2010 Outstanding Super Regional Commercial Lines Company Partner Award.

Receiving the Outstanding Super Regional Carrier Partner Award on behalf of Safeco was Christopher Alexander, Safeco Regional General Manager. The award was presented by IIABNY Chair of the Board Lane S. Rubin.

"This recognition is truly a great reflection of the joint efforts of both agency and company staff working together for the benefit of our policyholders," remarked Mr. Alexander. "We are extremely appreciative of our agents, their continued partnership and the trust they place in us every day."



About Safeco

In business since 1923 and based in Seattle, Safeco sells insurance to drivers and homeowners through a network of independent agents and brokers in eight regions throughout the U.S. Safeco is part of Liberty Mutual Agency Markets, a business unit of Liberty Mutual Group, consisting of property and casualty and specialty insurance carriers that distribute their products and services primarily through independent agents and brokers. Liberty Mutual Group ranks 86th on the Fortune 500 list of the largest U.S. corporations based on 2008 revenues.



About IIABNY



The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. has represented the common business interests of independent insurance professionals since 1882. More than 1,900 agencies and their 18,000 employees currently rely on the DeWitt, New York-based not-for-profit trade association for legislative advocacy, continuing education and other means of industry support. In addition, many IIABNY members represent Trusted Choice®, a national consumer brand uniting more than 7,000 independent agencies across the United States. For more information, go to www.trustedchoice.com or www.iiabny.org.